Congresswoman Tenney Highlights Plan to Protect and Support Senior Citizens

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today highlighted her plan to protect and support senior citizens, especially as they face soaring costs. This plan includes key legislation Tenney supports in Congress focused on: (1) Enhancing Protections and Support for Seniors; (2) Expanding and Improving Affordable Access to Health Care; and (3) Protecting Social Security and Medicare.

As the cost-of-living soars under the Biden Administration, many seniors have struggled to keep up with rising prices. After receiving the biggest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in about 40 years, inflation has now reached 8.6%, wiping away any gains seniors might have made. Many seniors depend on this reliable source of income to cover their daily expenses, as well as Medicare funding to afford basic medical care. It is essential to strengthen these programs that so many Americans are counting on.

Tenney’s plan also increases accountability to prevent grossly negligent or disastrous policies like those disgraced former Governor Cuomo imposed on nursing homes during the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation included in the plan details how enhanced oversight and safety protocols, along with a commitment to financial assistance, is vital to protect the vulnerable.

Tenney’s full plan can be found here or below.

Enhancing Protections and Support for Seniors

• Introduced H.R. 3733, the Essential Caregivers Act: This bipartisan legislation requires facilities like nursing homes and intermediate care sites to guarantee essential caregivers have access to seniors and those with disabilities during public health emergencies. This new federal standard will prevent seniors and those with disabilities from the indignity of being cut off from their caregivers and family, as many were throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill maintains strict safety protocols.
   
• Introduced H.Res. 1064 Establishing the Select Committee on Older Americans: This legislation will create a committee to investigate the unique economic, health, housing, and social issues facing older Americans and promote commonsense solutions. Specifically, the resolution creates a temporary, bipartisan Select Committee on Older Americans made up of six members from each party to serve as a forum for inquiry into the unique challenges facing older Americans. Ultimately, the committee will issue a final report no later than two years after the appointment of its members, with recommended actions for Congress to take to strengthen and improve the tools, resources, and support services available to seniors.

Expanding and Improving Affordable Access to Health Care

• Cosponsored H.R. 6144, the Removing Waste and Protecting Medicare Act: This legislation prevents harmful Medicare cuts from going into effect, cuts federal waste and reinvest in Medicare. We should never play political games with Medicare, which is so vitally important to seniors and retirees across upstate New York.
   
• Cosponsored H.R. 5981, the Telehealth Expansion Act: This bipartisan legislation will permanently require telehealth coverage in high deductible health plans. The expansion of telehealth care options will increase access and lower costs for our nation’s seniors, especially those who are mobility impaired or who reside in rural communities.
   
• Cosponsored H.R. 2168, the Expanded Telehealth Access Act: This bipartisan legislation will expand coverage for telehealth visits under Medicare, so seniors never miss critical appointments. While telehealth may not be appropriate in every circumstance, expanding access offers greater options to seniors.

Protecting Social Security and Medicare

• Cosponsored H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act: This bipartisan bill will eliminate the reduction of Social Security benefits for those receiving pensions from state or local governments. Those who served in vitally important careers like law enforcement and other public service jobs should not be penalized financially in retirement.
   
• Cosponsored H.R. 6590, the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act: This legislation repeals the inclusion of Social Security and railroad retirement benefits in taxable gross income, ensuring seniors do not pay taxes on these benefits. After paying into Social Security the entirety of their professional lives, the federal government should not then impose this double taxation on seniors with low and fixed incomes in retirement.
   
• Cosigned a letter to the Social Security Administration urging the reopening of over 1,500 SSA field offices: The pandemic related closure of these offices reduced services to Americans and contributed to a backlog of cases. Many constituents from vulnerable populations, especially those who lack access to reliable internet, have been hit hardest. This is unacceptable and it is imperative these offices resume full hours immediately.

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